Live Review: Norma Jean, Vanity, Statues

With half the crowd decked out in various masks, suits and gorgeous dresses, and the rest dressed like they were ready to chuck a mosh, there was a buzz in the air at Amplifier. Or maybe it was just the rain that had everyone talking and running for cover. Either way, Amps was full of energy and good vibes.

First up were Statues, a Perth band who have seen a pretty drastic line-up change in the last year. Since the introduction of Jayme van Keulen as vocalist and Daniel Harper as drummer in 2012, Statues' sound and live show is even more incredible than before. Beginning their set with classical music as an intro track, the band warmed up with punk jumps and running on the spot – think 1920s music meets fitness video meets hardcore. From then on, Statues' set was like hardcore on steroids. Playing through crowd favourites, the band impressed everyone in the room with their mastery over their instruments and their unbelievable, high-energy stage presence.

Vanity primed the crowd next, and further exhibited the talent in Perth's hardcore scene. Beginning with new song Vice Life, the room became a mosh pit, people became bowling pins and this reviewer's face took a battering. Shaun Griffiths' vocals are in a grade of their own; commanding, powerful and intense, adding a new dimension to the already tight performance made up by the rest of the band. The band played through a varied setlist, with some new songs from their debut album, expected in June, each of which were as well received by the crowd as the old favourites.

During the night, Norma Jean gained respect from everyone in the crowd, not just as talented musicians, but also as good-hearted people. During both Statues' and Vanity's sets, the band members from Norma Jean were scattered around the crowd with everyone else, cheering them on and showing support, which is something you don't often see with big international acts. Opening their set with frontman Cory Brandan Putman stating, “We're ready to play some rock and roll now, turn everything up”, Norma Jean lit up every inch of the room with their intensity, passion, energy and cohesiveness. With the microphone stand being abused by Putman, a few people nearly lost an eye, but that didn't stop the crowd from jumping, moshing and singing along to every single song on the setlist. Playing everything from Disconnecktie: The Faithful Vampire to Bastardizer and Memphis Will Be Laid To Waste, the crowd was left on a high, and were promised the band wouldn't leave six years between visits again. After the astonishing set Norma Jean played, it's hard to imagine waiting so long to experience their high-energy live show again.